Segment of Hwy. 36 to be named for slain North St. Paul officer Richard Crittenden

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill late last week designating a segment of Hwy. 36 in honor of a slain North St. Paul police officer.

Richard Crittenden was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call at an apartment building on Sept. 7, 2009. He was 57 and the first North St. Paul officer to be killed in the line of duty. A bronze stature in his honor stands outside the North St. Paul City Hall and police station at 2400 Margaret St.

“We honor the precious life, exceptional service, and supreme sacrifice of Officer Richard Crittenden, Sr.,” the governor said. “Although we can never repay officer Crittenden for his heroic sacrifice, or fill the terrible void felt by his family, friends, and fellow officers, this action will help honor his memory and heroic service for many years to come.”

The bill, authored by Sen. Charles W. Wiger, DFL-Maplewood, and Rep, Leon Lille, DFL-North St. Paul, names the segment of Hwy. 36 within the North St. Paul borders as the Officer Richard Crittenden, Sr. Memorial Highway.

Crittenden served the North St. Paul Police Department for nine years, and was with the Wabasha County Sheriff's Office for four years. He also served in Vietnam with the United States Army.

In addition to the third straight weekend closure of Interstate 94 in downtown Minneapolis, MnDOT will demolish the flyover bridge from northbound Interstate 35W to westbound Interstate 94. It will be closed until 2021.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is reminding anglers heading to this weekend's fishing opener to plan ahead and leave plenty of time to get to their destination. The advice holds true for motorists traveling in downtown Minneapolis where two freeways will be closed.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will shut the freeway down between Interstates 394 and 35W for the next three weekends to allow crews refurbish the Irene Hixon Whitney pedestrian bridge spanning I-94 and connecting the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Loring Park.